Engineering Student Attends Forum at United Nations Headquarters
Christopher Coates, an engineering sophomore, joined 499 other students and young professionals at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City from June 6-8 for ATHGO International's Third Annual Global Forum, "Global Third Way: Becoming One with the Environment." The focus was on global warming and climate change. Coates, a member of K.V. Lakshmi's research group, works on developing cutting-edge technology for solar energy use.

May 2007:

Commencement 2007: Graduate Develops "Growable" Solution to Energy Issues
Sky-rocketing oil prices, rising demand for reliance on renewable resources, and an increase in environmental consciousness have placed a newfound focus on "green" solutions to global energy issues. Following Rensselaer's graduation on May 19, student inventor Eben Bayer hopes to alleviate some of those growing issues — by growing.

Study Finds LED Lighting Increases Supermarket Merchandise AppealA recent study from Rensselaer's Lighting Research Center (LRC) found that shoppers overwhelmingly prefer light-emitting diode (LED) to fluorescent light inside supermarket freezer cases. LED lighting — known for its bright, even quality — increased frozen merchandise appeal for consumers when placed in grocer's freezers, according to the researchers.

President Jackson To Lead Institute Delegation to Europe
A delegation from Rensselaer will travel to Europe March 15-22 to meet with leading representatives from government, industry, science, and higher education. Led by President Shirley Ann Jackson, the trip will provide a platform for university officials to continue forging partnerships with international leaders and institutions. Through speeches in Geneva, Paris, and London, the trip also will provide a platform for Jackson to highlight her message about the challenge of global energy security.

Rensselaer Researchers Create World's First Ideal Anti-Reflection Coating
A team of Rensselaer researchers has created the world's first material that reflects virtually no light. Reporting in the March issue of Nature Photonics, they describe an optical coating made from the material that enables vastly improved control over the basic properties of light. The research could open the door to much brighter LEDs, more efficient solar cells, and a new class of "smart" light sources that adjust to specific environments, among many other potential applications.

Out & About: Lally School of Management & Technology Hosts Special Forum on Energy PolicyIn an effort to provide an opportunity for members of the Rensselaer campus to hear and discuss perspectives related to energy on a global and national scale, Rensselaer's Lally School of Management & Technology hosted a "Special Forum on Energy Policy" Nov. 9. The event featured lectures from visiting Lally faculty members Jonathan Story, Marusi Visiting Professor of Global Business and Political Economy, and the Shell Fellow of Economic Transformation, INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France; George Markowsky, Visiting Professor of Management & Technology, and professor of computer science and mathematics at the University of Maine, Orono; and Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson.

Examining the Impact of Renewable Energy on the Electric Power Grid
With a $1.23 million grant, Rensselaer researchers will be creating a distributed power "test-bed" to study how the electricity distribution grid might be affected by the widespread adoption of clean, renewable energy sources. The two-year project, which is funded by the New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research (NYSTAR), is designed to help understand the potential effects of meeting New York state's key alternative energy goal — by 2012, more than 25 percent of power generation through renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and fuel cells.

Rensselaer Researchers Aim To Close "Green Gap" in LED Technology
A team of Rensselaer researchers aims to close the "green gap" in LED technology by doubling or tripling the power output of green LEDs in three years, an advance that ultimately could lead to the replacement of incandescent and fluorescent lamps in general illumination applications.

Commencement 2006: For Nuclear Engineering, the Future Is Now
As nuclear power returns to the energy agenda in the United States and continues to grow in popularity around the world, the need for engineers and scientists in all sectors of the field grows as well. Educating the next generation of nuclear engineers is a key step toward filling this gap, and Rensselaer is leading the way. Rensselaer's 200th Commencement on May 20, 2006, will offer a glimpse at some of the future leaders in academia, government, and the nuclear industry.

Imagining the Future of Energy: Alums Return to Campus for Energy Innovation Forum
Three alumni with expertise in energy policy and innovation returned to campus April 3 to participate in a forum titled "Imagining the Future of Energy," focusing on the need to diversify energy sources. The event, part of the Rensselaer Alumni Association's (RAA) Back to Campus Speaker Series, was moderated by Nag Patibandla, director of Rensselaer's Center for Future Energy Systems.

Out and About: ANS Student Conference Explores the Future of Nuclear Power
As nuclear power returns to the national energy agenda, the need for engineers and scientists in all sectors of the field becomes ever more pressing. This year's American Nuclear Society (ANS) national student conference, held March 30-April 1 at Rensselaer, offered a glimpse at the future leaders in academia, government, and industry, with more than 300 of the top nuclear engineering students from across the country in attendance. The conference featured presentations from a number of experts currently working in the field, including Admiral Frank "Skip" Bowman, president and CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute, the main policy organization for the country's commercial nuclear power industry. In a March 31 lunchtime keynote address titled "America's Nuclear Renaissance and Your Role in It," Admiral Bowman discussed the resurgence of the nuclear power industry in the United States and the opportunities for young engineers to play a role in this growth.

Out and About: SWE Regional Conference Highlights Importance of "Engineering a Sustainable Future"
On April 1, Rensselaer hosted women engineers from across the Northeast at the 2006 Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Region F Conference. The event featured talks, workshops, and opportunities for professional development, all revolving around the theme of "Engineering a Sustainable Future." Ruth Horton, program manager for energy efficiency services at the New York State Energy, Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and president of the Clean Cities Board of Directors, delivered the keynote lecture about creating a climate for sustainability.

Student Conference To Explore the Future of Nuclear Power
As nuclear power returns to the national energy agenda, the need for engineers and scientists in all sectors of the field becomes ever more pressing. This year's American Nuclear Society (ANS) national student conference, to be held March 30-April 1 at Rensselaer, will offer a glimpse at the future leaders in academia, government, and industry, while featuring presentations from experts currently working in these arenas.

Rensselaer Names New Director of the Center for Future Energy Systems
Rensselaer officials have announced the appointment of Nag Patibandla as director of the Center for Future Energy Systems, a New York State Center for Advanced Technology (CAT). He also will hold a position as a research professor in the School of Engineering's Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Patibandla brings an extensive background in energy policy, management, and research, having worked in a variety of positions at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), General Electric, and previously as a researcher and professor at Rensselaer.

At Feb. 3 Roundtable, President Jackson Urges Quick Action on National Innovation Agenda
As a follow-up to President George W. Bush's State of the Union address, Rensselaer hosted a roundtable discussion on innovation and economic development Feb. 3 at the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies. Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson joined the Honorable Sandy Baruah, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, to discuss President Bush's competitiveness agenda with Capital Region business, academic, and community leaders.

New Sonofusion Experiment Produces Results Without External Neutron Source
A team of researchers from Rensselaer, Purdue University, and the Russian Academy of Sciences has used sound waves to induce nuclear fusion without the need for an external neutron source, according to a paper in the Jan. 27 issue of Physical Review Letters. The results address one of the most prominent questions raised after publication of the team's earlier results in 2004, suggesting that "sonofusion" may be a viable approach to producing neutrons for a variety of applications.

Rensselaer and Clarkson Receive Joint NYSTAR Energy Award
Rensselaer, in partnership with Clarkson University, has been awarded $1.84 million from the New York State Office of Science, Technology, and Academic Research (NYSTAR) to address the need for energy independence by developing technologies that seek to lower energy consumption and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of renewable energy sources. The research will focus on improving the energy efficiency of a wide variety of devices, including photovoltaic systems for producing solar power and light-emitting diodes.

Center for Future Energy Systems Hosts Energy Technology Open House
To showcase some of the many ways that Rensselaer is addressing the nation's critical need for energy security, the Center for Future Energy Systems (CFES) hosted its first annual energy technology open house Jan. 11 at the Heffner Alumni House. CFES researchers and students from Rensselaer, Cornell University, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and Clarkson University used the opportunity to display their work to industry representatives and government officials from New York state and beyond.

Harnessing the Heating — and Cooling — Powers of the Sun
Imagine heat radiating from the walls of your home on a cold winter night, or the glass in your home's windows emitting cool temperatures on a scorching summer afternoon. Now imagine these systems operating on an endless supply of affordable energy — the sun. Three years ago a team of Rensselaer researchers began developing an "intelligent" heating and cooling system that made these seemingly too-good-to-be-true scenarios a possibility. Today the same team is exploring the likelihood of increasing the system's efficiency and adaptability by reducing it to the micrometer scale. A $300,000, three-year grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) will fund the research.

Rensselaer Researchers Test Polymer Membrane for Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Applications
Rensselaer researchers have started a new fundamental research project on the component that is often referred to as the heart of a fuel cell — the polymer membrane. Researchers are testing a new type of polymer membrane, created at Rensselaer, for potential use in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell and hydrogen applications. The project is funded by a projected three-year, $900,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Out and About: H2 Educate — A Public Forum on Hydrogen
What is the "hydrogen economy" and how will it impact New York state? Are fuel cells really the wave of the future? Members of the local community heard discussions about these issues and more Oct. 26 at the H2 Educate Public Education Forum hosted by the Center for Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Research and the Center for Future Energy Systems at Rensselaer.

Rensselaer Opens New $20 Million Center for Future Energy Systems
Rensselaer marked the opening of the Center for Future Energy Systems, a New York State Center for Advanced Technology. The new $20 million research center, in partnership with Cornell University and Brookhaven National Laboratory, seeks to meet the energy challenges of the 21st century by focusing on innovation in and commercialization of energy conservation and renewable energy systems.

Rensselaer Nuclear-Energy Pioneer Richard T. Lahey Jr. Receives Two Major Honors
Richard T. Lahey Jr., a pioneer in the field of nuclear reactor technology and safety who is now exploring sonofusion, a new form of nuclear fusion, has been awarded an Alexander von Humboldt Senior Scientist Fellowship, one of the most prestigious honors given to senior researchers around the world. In another major honor, Nuclear Engineering & Design journal has published a special edition in recognition of Professor Lahey's 65th birthday.

Rensselaer Researchers Detail Potential for Smart Lighting in Science
"Smart" solid-state light sources now being developed not only have the potential to provide significant energy savings, but also offer new opportunities for applications that go well beyond the lighting provided by conventional incandescent and fluorescent sources, according to Rensselaer professors E. Fred Schubert and Jong Kyu Kim. In an article published May 27 in the journal Science, the authors describe research currently under way to transform lighting into "smart" lighting, with benefits expected in such diverse fields as medicine, transportation, communications, imaging, and agriculture.

Rensselaer To Mark Opening of Future Energy Systems CAT June 7
Rensselaer will mark the opening of the Future Energy Systems Center for Advanced Technology on Tuesday, June 7, at 11 a.m. Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson will be joined by New York State Lieutenant Governor Mary Donohue, State Senator Joseph Bruno, New York State Office of Science, Technology, and Academic Research (NYSTAR) Executive Director Russell Bessette, Plug Power Chief Operating Officer Greg Silvestri, and Rensselaer Vice President for Research Omkaram "Om" Nalamasu for the kick-off event.

In the News: Energy Security
Energy security is one of the greatest global challenges, and innovation is key to addressing it. Rensselaer energy innovation has been in the news recently.

LED Lighting Institute Prepares Professionals for 'Next Generation Lighting' in Hands-On Seminar
Rensselaer's Lighting Research Center (LRC) hosted the LED Lighting Institute April 27-29, featuring workshops and hands-on lab sessions to teach industry professionals the latest in lighting technologies, lighting design, and optical modeling, while using the newest light-emitting diode (LED) products on the market. More than 30 participants from across the United States and around the world attended the program at the LRC, some traveling from as far as Colombia and China.

Breakthrough Technology Accelerates Solid-State Lighting (April 2005)
Scientists at Rensselaer's Lighting Research Center (LRC) have developed a method known as "SPE" (scattered photon extraction) to get significantly more light from white LEDs (light-emitting diodes) without requiring more energy.

LRC Establishes 'Daylighting Controls Practicum'
One of the missing links in many daylighting designs is the inclusion of a control system that effectively turns off or dims electric lighting in response to available daylight. To address this problem, the LRC is developing a program that will train lighting decision makers to make better use of controls to save energy in response to daylighting.

Rensselaer Announces New Center for Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Research
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute today announced the formation of a new Center for Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Research. Under the leadership of Glenn Eisman, former chief technology officer at Plug Power Inc., the center will focus on basic research essential to the commercial viability of fuel cells and hydrogen-related technologies.

Rensselaer Completes Future Chips Constellation With Two New Faculty Appointments
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute today announced the appointment of two new faculty members, thereby completing its Future Chips Constellation, the first of several "critical mass" groupings of world-caliber faculty in focal research areas. The new faculty are Shawn-Yu Lin, Ph.D., a recognized authority in photonics research, and Christian M. Wetzel, Ph.D., a research pioneer in semiconductor device design and manufacturing.

Load-Shedding Systems May Reduce Power Outages
New methods of reducing strain on the nation's power grid are in greater demand than ever. Rather than sacrificing our precious air conditioning, new lighting methods allow office workers to keep their cool while offering energy-efficient, cost-effective means to reduce the likelihood of further system failures.

If These Walls Could Heat (and Cool)
Steven Van Dessel, assistant professor of architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, is combining home comfort with energy conservation. His patent-pending system, called the Active Building Envelope (ABE), incorporates solar-cell and thermoelectric technologies to turn the walls of your home into an "intelligent" heating and cooling system.